Ahamefula Ogbu
1 December 2007
Port Harcourt — A fire explosion is reported to have occurred yesterday at the hub of oil and gas installation sites at Soku in the Akuku Toru local government area of Rivers State.
This is coming on the heels of a pledge made by the Consul General of France in Nigeria, Mr. Erwan De Gouvello to assist the Rivers State government improve the security situation in the Niger Delta region.
The explosion is a sequel to an alleged clash between illegal oil bunkerers and the Nigerian Navy. However, contrary reports indicated that the fire may have started when bunkerers tried to break a pipeline and siphon products.
When contacted, the spokesman of the Joint Task Force in the state, Major Musa Sagir confirmed the explosion but said he had no details of what happened, but preliminary investigations revealed that it was sparked by bunkering activities.
He however assured that his men have increased patrols in the area to forestall a breakdown of law and order. But he refused to confirm that the navy sank some boats used for bunkering activities, which may have triggered off the fire.
The French envoy who was at the government house, Port Harcourt to see Governor Chibuike Amaechi said their interest was informed by the number of their citizens doing business and working in the state.
He gave assurances that given the commitment shown by the state government to restore security in Rivers State, he would ensure that French nationals who had fled the state would return and commence their businesses and work in the oil and gas sector.
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